Al'i'l \"!\. 



2fi3 



of opinion tint time will only serve to increase the difficulty of 



rag a perfect understanding. 



The line on the Rod Gedei is important, as opposing an obsta- 

 cle to a firm peace between the Sioux and Chippewas ; and I 

 doubt whether any steps could be taken by the government to 

 induce them to live peaceably near each other, with so little cost 

 of time and money as the taking post, with a small military force, 

 on the frontier in dispute, at some suitable point between Prairie 

 du Chicn and St. Peters. With this impression, I have brought 

 the subject to the consideration of the Secretary of War; and I 

 shall be gratified, if, on a review of it, you shall concur in opin- 

 ion with. Sir, very respectfully, 



Your obedient servant, 



H. R. Schoolcraft. 



No. 2. 



Sault Ste. Marie, Sept. 21, 1831. 

 To Elbert Herring, Esq. > 



Office of Indian Affairs, War Department. $ 

 Sir, 

 In compliance with instructions to endeavour to terminate the 

 hostilities between the Chippewas and Sioux, 1 proceeded into 

 the Chippewa country with thirteen men in two canoes, having 

 the necessary provisions and presents for the Indians, an inter- 

 preter, a physician to attend the sick, and a person in charge of 

 the provisions and other public property. The commanding 

 officer of Fort Brady furnished me with an escort of ten soldiers, 

 under the command of a lieutenant ; and I took with me a few 

 Chippewas, in a canoe provided with oars, to convey a part of 

 the provisions. A flag was procured for each canoe. I joined 

 the expedition at the head of the portage, at this place, on the 

 25th of June ; and, after visiting the Chippewa villages in the 

 belt of country between Lake Superior and the Mississippi, in 

 latin. !> s 1 1 to 70°, returned on the 4th of September, having 

 been absent seventy-two days, and travelled a line of country 



